Maun 2008-2009 season
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: somewhere in the bush, Canada now
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Float Plane Opportunities in Africa??? Are there any??
Canadian headed to Bots in a month to search for a flying gig. Also wondering if there are any float opportunties anywhere in Africa that people may know about?
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MAun
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perfect employee
As long as I'm up in a plane and logging hours, I dont really care how Im treated.
Go there, get it done, then get out of there.
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: In a country
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Well said,
Its true that Sefo do have the odd good bloke but the majority are a bunch of freaks who didn't manage to get in with the other companies.
They used to take anyone with the correct license and it shows, there office is like the bar scene from Star Wars.
Its true that Sefo do have the odd good bloke but the majority are a bunch of freaks who didn't manage to get in with the other companies.
They used to take anyone with the correct license and it shows, there office is like the bar scene from Star Wars.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
Age: 37
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Kind of taking offence to that Caufield.
Very few pilots that are flying in the scenics are there for life. They are there to build their hours, and then move on.
Unless there is a gross misjustice going on with the company, and you are not being paid at all, and having unreasonable demands placed upon you (overweight aircraft, unmaintained etc etc) then suck it up and soldier on. You are not going to be there forever.
As for my professionalism? How can you possibly judge that?
In and around the aircraft, it is the job at hand that comes first. Nothing else. I've always seen it that way.
Gwidery, I've just got the basic vaccinations, I'm taking a few tablets with me, but thats just more for when Im up around Tanzania, not Botswana.
I'm taking a tent with me, there is a camp ground that I can't recall off of the top of my head, meant to be cheap.
Can anyone suggest modes of transport around Southern Africa? How safe are the buses in regards to personal safety? (dont care about comfort!)
Any Taxi services to avoid? Places to avoid around Maun?
Any help with that sort of information would be greatly appreciated.
Very few pilots that are flying in the scenics are there for life. They are there to build their hours, and then move on.
Unless there is a gross misjustice going on with the company, and you are not being paid at all, and having unreasonable demands placed upon you (overweight aircraft, unmaintained etc etc) then suck it up and soldier on. You are not going to be there forever.
As for my professionalism? How can you possibly judge that?
In and around the aircraft, it is the job at hand that comes first. Nothing else. I've always seen it that way.
Gwidery, I've just got the basic vaccinations, I'm taking a few tablets with me, but thats just more for when Im up around Tanzania, not Botswana.
I'm taking a tent with me, there is a camp ground that I can't recall off of the top of my head, meant to be cheap.
Can anyone suggest modes of transport around Southern Africa? How safe are the buses in regards to personal safety? (dont care about comfort!)
Any Taxi services to avoid? Places to avoid around Maun?
Any help with that sort of information would be greatly appreciated.
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: LOS
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The thing with taking anti malaria tablets is that they don't necessarily stop you contracting malaria - they just prevent death in the event of contraction!
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: South Africa
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Quote:
The thing with taking anti malaria tablets is that they don't necessarily stop you contracting malaria - they just prevent death in the event of contraction!
Where on earth did you get that information from?
The thing with taking anti malaria tablets is that they don't necessarily stop you contracting malaria - they just prevent death in the event of contraction!
Where on earth did you get that information from?
Maun is relatively safe, dont have camera's, ipod's, laptop's, headsets, etc visibily around you or leave it in the car for everybody to see, it WILL get stolen. Just take care and trust no one.
Join Date: Jan 2009
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Its true that Sefo do have the odd good bloke but the majority are a bunch of freaks who didn't manage to get in with the other companies.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
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Im in two minds about the malaria tablets.
I have heard 2 different stories.
1) They arent good because they mask the symptoms of malaria. If you do contract it, by the time you realise you have it, it can be too late
or
2) It is good to take them because it lowers the risk of getting it substantially...
It sounds like a case of prevention vs cure.
What do you suggest?
I have heard 2 different stories.
1) They arent good because they mask the symptoms of malaria. If you do contract it, by the time you realise you have it, it can be too late
or
2) It is good to take them because it lowers the risk of getting it substantially...
It sounds like a case of prevention vs cure.
What do you suggest?
Join Date: May 2008
Location: UK
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Regarding anti-malarials, you can only take them for a set period (typically 3 months max), otherwise you will do yourself more harm than good - damaging your kydneys as referred to above. The treatment is also a strong dose of the same drugs used for prevention and repeated treatments can again cause damage. For long stays then it's a case of covering up at dawn and dusk, though essentially you are going to get bitten whether the bite shows or not is a different issue. If you contract malaria, then regardless of how it's treated you can have a relapse in the future. You should all understand the risks.
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: MAun
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Unless there is a gross misjustice going on with the company, and you are not being paid at all, and having unreasonable demands placed upon you (overweight aircraft, unmaintained etc etc) then suck it up and soldier on
As for my professionalism? How can you possibly judge that?
When people like you show up and make it obvious that you are willing to put up with anything to build hours, and see your job as nothing more than a stepping stone to some other, better job somewhere else you make every pilot in Maun look bad. You also encourage the worst of the operators to continue abusing their employees which makes life uglier for everyone.
These are entry level flying jobs, and that means relatively low pay for long hours, but you are still PIC of an aircraft carrying paying passengers and I think that should count for something. Obviously you disagree. But if you want the respect of any of the pilots already working in Maun I would keep your opinions to yourself when you get to town.
Last edited by Caufield; 1st Nov 2009 at 20:10.
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
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Hmmm I could quite easily get into a slinging match with you over this, but you are obviously past the point of disgruntled and taking everything that is said to the extreme.
Im more than aware of what goes on and we obviously have differing opinions.
But please remember this. You are in the enviable position that when you get up in the morning, your job is flying.
Then there is us. The unlucky portion that have been chasing that first job globally, for years. Forgive us if we are sick of waking up and going to some job that is just there to pay for our next ticket to another world destination to try and find work that we love doing. It tends to make people... desperit.
This has NOTHING to do with professionalism. I have a love of flying, and provided I was being given enough to live, I am fine with that.
If you want to discuss this more, feel free to PM me, I dont want to drag this helpful thread down into mudslinging. Otherwise lets bury the hatchet and I will be more than willing to buy you a beer when I get in.
Im more than aware of what goes on and we obviously have differing opinions.
But please remember this. You are in the enviable position that when you get up in the morning, your job is flying.
Then there is us. The unlucky portion that have been chasing that first job globally, for years. Forgive us if we are sick of waking up and going to some job that is just there to pay for our next ticket to another world destination to try and find work that we love doing. It tends to make people... desperit.
This has NOTHING to do with professionalism. I have a love of flying, and provided I was being given enough to live, I am fine with that.
If you want to discuss this more, feel free to PM me, I dont want to drag this helpful thread down into mudslinging. Otherwise lets bury the hatchet and I will be more than willing to buy you a beer when I get in.
Join Date: May 2009
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Well...there's not much to say there I'm afraid...
if you let your desperation carry you to such extremes, where you compromise the situation of the collective- in whichever part of the world you are -then you can be a clear danger to the group and easily shoved into the "persona non grata" pile I'm affraid...
In my opinion, the point is that at the end of the day it's not only affecting you, but a whole bunch of people who just want some dignity in exchange to what they are doing, and that is not something to ignore, if you expect to survive in such a small circle.
I think everyone should care about this detail, no matter if you are planing to be 2months or 2years, and extend it to wherever you go. I know everyone has their personal circumstances but it's the only way to prevent this job into turning into the gutter that we are already seing in many places.
Soooo, No squatting over the table!
LESBer
if you let your desperation carry you to such extremes, where you compromise the situation of the collective- in whichever part of the world you are -then you can be a clear danger to the group and easily shoved into the "persona non grata" pile I'm affraid...
In my opinion, the point is that at the end of the day it's not only affecting you, but a whole bunch of people who just want some dignity in exchange to what they are doing, and that is not something to ignore, if you expect to survive in such a small circle.
I think everyone should care about this detail, no matter if you are planing to be 2months or 2years, and extend it to wherever you go. I know everyone has their personal circumstances but it's the only way to prevent this job into turning into the gutter that we are already seing in many places.
Soooo, No squatting over the table!
LESBer
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Maun, Botswana
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Hmm valid point.
I guess it all comes down to what your into flying for. Either the reward or the lifestyle.
Just to make it clear. I wouldnt be someone who is a strike breaker and fly for the companies why other people are on strike. Just nor am I going to be a drumbeater for the betterment of other pilots pay packets.
You know what you sign up for with your contract. And its up to you and your fellow co-workers to enforce that. If not, dont sign the contract?
I guess it all comes down to what your into flying for. Either the reward or the lifestyle.
Just to make it clear. I wouldnt be someone who is a strike breaker and fly for the companies why other people are on strike. Just nor am I going to be a drumbeater for the betterment of other pilots pay packets.
You know what you sign up for with your contract. And its up to you and your fellow co-workers to enforce that. If not, dont sign the contract?
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: oregon
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-trying to change the subject here...
When you say overloaded does that mean just heavy or over gross? cause flying over gross at high density altitudes sounds kinda sketchy. do these companies put you in situations where they pressure you to fly outside the planes', or your personal limits?
Overloaded aircraft and high density altitudes are daily realities at all of the companies in Maun.
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Robofos,
It means flying over gross, you are not put under direct pressure to do it but everyone else is doing it, you know what I mean. And if you work there at some time you will do it what ever you think now. It can get quite exciting at times just trying to get and overweight out of CG 206 out of the white ark.
I think that Sefo are the best on this and as far as I know they even tie the cargo down so it does not kill you on impact.
The freight runs in Maun are normally just loaded in the aircraft loose behind the pilot and in the pod so when you make that forced landing you will probably get a slab of Hansa through your skull.
It means flying over gross, you are not put under direct pressure to do it but everyone else is doing it, you know what I mean. And if you work there at some time you will do it what ever you think now. It can get quite exciting at times just trying to get and overweight out of CG 206 out of the white ark.
I think that Sefo are the best on this and as far as I know they even tie the cargo down so it does not kill you on impact.
The freight runs in Maun are normally just loaded in the aircraft loose behind the pilot and in the pod so when you make that forced landing you will probably get a slab of Hansa through your skull.
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Doha, Qatar
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Hi guys
I was wondering what (historically as well as guesses for this year!) the period over Christmas is like? Do any of the pilots, or management at the charter companies leave Maun over Christmas/ New Year for a break, to return in early to mid Jan?
Or does the flying increase a bit so that all hands are requried on deck?
Thanks
GWidgery
I was wondering what (historically as well as guesses for this year!) the period over Christmas is like? Do any of the pilots, or management at the charter companies leave Maun over Christmas/ New Year for a break, to return in early to mid Jan?
Or does the flying increase a bit so that all hands are requried on deck?
Thanks
GWidgery
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: South Africa
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Some companies have it in their contracts that no person is allowed to take leave over Christmas and New Year as the flying normally increases over this period. So normally the flying does increase over this period, but we will see this year with the recession whats going to happen.
Some people go on holiday but most stay over this period and then go on leave early January.
See you guys soon!
Some people go on holiday but most stay over this period and then go on leave early January.
See you guys soon!
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Mile High, Colorado
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Don't waste your time getting vaccinations and malaria pills if you're going to Botswana. I know people who have lived in Maun for thirty years and have never got malaria.
Now if you're going up to Zambia or Zimbabwe, definitely pick that garbage up. Just don't wreck your immune system for crap that you don't need...
Now if you're going up to Zambia or Zimbabwe, definitely pick that garbage up. Just don't wreck your immune system for crap that you don't need...
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: South Africa
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My opinion on the malaria pills. Have some treatment with you (quinine) and ONLY if you get the symptoms then start the treatment. You dont know for how long you are going to be here and taking these aggresive tablets for three months non-stop or longer....EISH.... your liver and kidneys are stuffed for life!
I used to work in the tropics of Mozambique on the Zambezi river and nobody in our area took malaria pills. Only started the treatment once we got the symptoms.
Anyway, just my opion, It's up to you what you want to do!
I used to work in the tropics of Mozambique on the Zambezi river and nobody in our area took malaria pills. Only started the treatment once we got the symptoms.
Anyway, just my opion, It's up to you what you want to do!
Join Date: Aug 2009
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Look you are worrying about Malaria, in Maun you are most likely to end up with Liver disease!
Have fun and say hello to that blond pilot hating
who runs River Lodge for me.
Have fun and say hello to that blond pilot hating
who runs River Lodge for me.